John Harbaugh is officially in the building, and with his arrival as the Giants’ 24th head coach, the process of shaping his first staff in New York is already well underway. While the AFC and NFC Championship Games take center stage this weekend, Harbaugh’s behind-the-scenes work is laying the foundation for what he hopes will be a new era of Giants football. And if early indications are anything to go by, he's building with familiarity, experience, and a sharp eye for proven talent.
Defensive Coordinator Search: Familiar Faces, Fresh Opportunities
Let’s start on the defensive side, where the coordinator search is heating up. With the Packers bringing in Jonathan Gannon-yes, the former Cardinals head coach and ex-Eagles defensive coordinator-to fill their DC vacancy, that leaves Jim Leonhard very much in play for the Giants.
Leonhard, currently serving as assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator in Denver, is expected to begin interviewing for roles this week after the Broncos' AFC Championship clash with the Patriots. He’s long been considered one of the sharpest defensive minds not yet running his own NFL defense, and there’s a personal connection here: he played under Harbaugh back in 2008 during his final NFL season. That kind of shared history can go a long way in building trust between a head coach and his top defensive lieutenant.
Leonhard isn’t alone in the mix, though. Dennard Wilson and Anthony Weaver are also being considered for the job, giving Harbaugh a strong trio of candidates to choose from. Each brings a unique background and approach, but all three are known for their ability to develop talent and scheme creatively-two things the Giants will need to turn their defense into a consistent force.
Offensive Coordinator: Familiar Names, Intriguing Options
On the offensive side, Harbaugh’s search is just as intriguing. The team recently interviewed Dolphins wide receivers coach Robert Prince, a veteran coach with decades of experience shaping NFL receiving corps. Prince has been around the league, with stops in Dallas, Houston, Detroit, and Seattle, and while he’s primarily been a position coach, he does bring some play-calling experience from his college days at Boise State and Portland State.
Still, the name that continues to surface as the frontrunner is Todd Monken. Monken worked as Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator in Baltimore the past two seasons and helped craft a balanced, dynamic offense that played to Lamar Jackson’s strengths. If Monken doesn’t land the Browns’ head coaching job-he’s reportedly a candidate-there’s a strong chance he reunites with Harbaugh in New York.
Another familiar face in the mix is Willie Taggart, who’s reportedly interviewed for the OC job as well. Taggart has been with the Ravens as a running backs coach over the last three seasons and has deep ties to the Harbaugh family.
He played quarterback for John’s father, Jack Harbaugh, at Western Kentucky and later coached on the Hilltoppers' 2002 national championship team. Whether he lands the OC job or not, Taggart is expected to follow Harbaugh to the Giants in some capacity.
Defensive Line: A Key Hire for a Strength Unit
One hire that’s already in the books is Dennis Johnson, who will take over as the Giants’ defensive line coach. Johnson spent the last two seasons in the same role under Harbaugh in Baltimore and now replaces Andre Patterson, who had been with the Giants since 2022.
Johnson inherits arguably the strongest unit on the Giants’ roster-a group headlined by three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, newly acquired All-Pro edge rusher Brian Burns, and 2025 first-round pick Abdul Carter. That’s a lot of talent to work with, and Johnson’s track record suggests he’s more than capable of maximizing it. Before joining the Ravens, he coached the defensive line at Baylor from 2020 to 2023 and previously worked as a defensive assistant at LSU, where he also played during his college days.
What It All Means for the Giants
So what does all this tell us about Harbaugh’s approach? For one, he’s leaning into familiarity-trusted voices he’s worked with before or crossed paths with during his long coaching career. But he’s also being methodical, targeting coaches who know how to teach, develop, and lead.
The Giants are coming off a turbulent stretch, but Harbaugh’s steady hand and deliberate staff-building process suggest a clear vision. He’s not just filling roles-he’s assembling a team of teachers and tacticians who can help reshape the identity of this franchise, starting in the trenches and extending to both sides of the ball.
There’s still work to be done, especially at the coordinator spots, but the early moves are promising. Harbaugh is bringing in people who know how to win, who know how to build, and most importantly, who know how to coach. And for a Giants team looking to turn the page, that’s exactly what you want.